Habs’ Diaz, Plekanec headed to Sochi Olympics

The Canadiens held an optional skate Monday morning in Brossard before facing the Florida Panthers Monday night at the Bell Centre (7:30 p.m., TSN-HABS, RDS, TSN Radio 690).

Canadiens defenceman Raphael Diaz got some good news Monday morning when he learned he will part part of Team Switzerland for the Sochi Olympics. Diaz was also part of Team Switzerland for the 2010 Games in Vancouver. Canadiens centre Tomas Plekanec learned later in the day that he will be the captain for the Czech Republic team in Sochi. Plekanec also took part in the 2010 Games.

Team Canada will be announced during a press conference at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Toronto.

“I’m really happy,” Diaz, who was a healthy scratch for Saturday’s overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators, told reporters in Brossard. “This is the tournament of all tournaments.”

Max Pacioretty was named to Team USA for Sochi last week.

Canadiens coach Michel Therrien announced after the morning skate that there will be no changes to the lineup that faced the Senators on Saturday night, meaning Diaz will be a healthy scratch again against the Panthers. The coach also said that Ryan White could be sidelined for two weeks with an upper-body injury. The only healthy players who didn’t take part in the morning skate were Brian Gionta, Tomas Plekanec, David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty.

Diaz will be one of eight NHL players on Team Switzerland, along with former Canadiens Yannick Weber, now with the Vancouver Canucks, and Mark Streit, now with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Hey Shiram, the Flames picked Ryan Culkin with the 5th rounder they received from us with Cammy. He is now Captain of the Quebec Remparts and a terrific defenceman. 6’2, about 200, mobile as hell, great skater, power play quarterback. He was a steal in the 5th round. Of course he grew up and played minor hockey right here in Montreal as well. You should write his name down. I think he ay make it all the way to the NHL.

Looking at the poll question, the Habs would have to have a complete meltdown – or God forbid, a Subban-Price long term injury, not to qualify for the playoffs.

The current pace in the West is 98 points
The current pace in the East is only 90 points.

That means the Habs need 37 points in their final 39 games.
A record something like of 16-18-5 is good enough.

About Carey and an injury, was anyone at the practise yesterday?

Some info out there that during the 1-on-1 skills against the goalies, the guys were making all kinds of moves and plays against Budaj….yet when it came to Price, the players were shooting from longer range, and not 1 guy tried a deke on Carey.

I think it’s safe to say now, that the Habs lost the Cammy trade.
Even with considering the cap implications, the returns have not been worth what was sent back.
It basically rests on Fuccale to be a show stopper, as Bourque has steeply declined since arriving in Montreal, Patrick Holland does not seem to be putting significant numbers in the AHL.

I can’t find the guy Calgary picked with the 5th round pick we sent them, but Ramo has been playing regular games for them, and Cammy has been producing as he’s done before.

I think the time to review this trade and subsequently evaluate the outcome will be another 5-7 years down the road. I think claiming that now is a safe time is entirely premature. Further, when evaluating this trade you also have to consider the cap hit implications. Lastly, what if Bourque gets flipped at the deadline, or even next year? Let’s just put this on hold for now.

Damn cold out there. Anyways, was thinking how I’d be happy with Eller, pleks, chunky, as our centres down the road if we can get four new wingers with a mix of skill and size. Hopefully DE la rose and Collberg are part of that, which would leave us looking for two power forwards.

The last time we made any noise in the playoffs was when Halak played for Slovakia in Vancouver and none of our other top players participated. I’m thinking our small forwards and gimpy kneed defence could use the rest, again. Pleks must be happy but doesn’t need the work.

Dipsy!
Surely the difference is that for an atheist there is no possibility whatsoever of a God/supreme being/ultimate concern etc, or anything at all that exists parallel to what we determine to be physical reality,

whereas,

the agnostic merely asserts that there is no way of knowing or proving it one way or the other and that we will find out — or not if that’s the case — when we die. Until then, no point in arguing: see you on the other side, or not.

If those definitions are valid, it’s not a false dichotomy.

(There is at least one other poster here whose name I can’t recall but who will charge into this one!)

Meanwhile — and not wishing to compromise my Schleprock gloom-and-doom-reverse jinx strategy (which evidence suggests is effective when Jols does the opposite and Burly doesn’t go curling and watches the game) — do we EVER need to give those pretenders from the Sunshine State a proper spanking and restore the order of the universe??!! DO IT!!

Habillis posted some interesting stats on Kunitz with and without Crosby. I would have guessed about what the numbers say and all the more reason for him not to be considered. What if Crosby gets hurt at Olympics, first of all no Crosby, and now Kunitz becomes a below average player.

The last 2 seasons have seen a dramatic increase in Kunitz point production no doubt. I just don’t think he is anywhere near as talented as an Evander Kane who isn’t even getting a mention. I realize Kunitz plays very well with Crosby, just not sure he plays that well without him.

Answered my own question, although it makes no sense, Norway, Austria, Latvia and japan have teams, as well as the Swiss, Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Germany, but no Denmark!

“Qualification for the men’s tournament at the 2014 Winter Olympics was determined by the IIHF World Ranking following the 2012 Men’s World Ice Hockey Championships. The top nine teams in the World Ranking received automatic berths into the Olympics, while all other teams had an opportunity to qualify for the remaining three spots in the Olympics.[3]”

Denmark lost to Slovenia and Belarus, but got a win over Ukraine, in the qualifications. Slovenia got the spot in that group with 3 wins.

Since McD came to Cali, Colombia about 15 years ago, I think I have been in about 5X. Why eat McD when you can eat beef tenderloin for about the same price? Gottta love a place where beer is cheaper than bottled water.

Watch Plek in the oylmpics. I feel sorry for him this year with the Habs, Stuck between Gionta and Bourque most of the time , has to be frustrating when your wingers cant take advantage of the center’s skills

Those stats without Sid is a very small sample size and doesn’t include all his PP points, where Kunitz, like most offensive minded players, is very good.

Not anyone could put up the numbers Kunitz has with Crosby. He has been more successful than any other winger Crosby has had. If you think he is average or that Gallagher is better choice you are not watching the Pens games. Kunitz is a very smart player with a great shot, skating ability, and some physicality. He is a very good 2-way player as well with a +22 compared to Crosby’s +11 this season.

He is a way above average winger in this league and is 5th in NHL scoring at this point. An average winger like Bourque per say, could never do that.

Subban will not be seeing much PP time in Sochi and he still has a stigma as being a high risk/reward player defensively. There is a lot of depth on Canda’s blueline and even if PK makes it (which I think he should), he likely won’t be playing.

In my opinion, Team Canada leaving out Mike Richards and Jeff Carter would be a huge mistake. 2 players who always seem to be able to tie up games late in regulations. Richards is also very effective on the penalty killing department.

Why isn’t there a line of turtlenecks called Plekanecks ?
Channeling ………………Player of the game tonight Eller.
With PK’s backlash against the refs I expect a quiet game from them.
I could be wrong.
Om……………..Om………………Om

As long as the line produces… DD was not given a contract because of his shooting abilities.
It’s the same with Gio, people complain he’s not scoring, which is valid with him, as it was his bread and butter, but he’s at least being a positive factor with his play and assists.

It is not just no home goals which I agree is not a huge problem if he is contributing with assists ….. it is his total of 7 points in 20 home games to date including zero goals and zero assists in 5 of his last six games at the Belle Centre that are a huge problem. You just will not win with that kind of non productivity from a player skating on your first line and playing on the first wave of the PP. It is insane……………

I am glad that he is producing of late Luke, but feel strongly that in order for us to take care of business in our own building, we need to have a strong first line. I think that he deserves to play, I just don’t think that it should be on the first line and that the DD, Max & Gally line has not been as productive as it should be especially at home. What I don’t like is the myopic mindset that DD has to be on the first line, with Max, and on the first wave of the PP. I think that it is pretty fair to say that he has been a bust on the PP so far this season, so why not give Eller or Chucky some of that time?

Diaz needs to start shooting on the PP. If he can’t find an open lane, he should move around till he does. He should be playing with Murray

One of Gorges and Diaz needs to be traded. He should be replaced with a big D in the manner of Ottawa’s big D. Doesn’t have to be a great D, just a stay at home guy who won’t get pushed around and can make a first pass

Murray needs to play

Bouillon needs to retire, preferably before the season ends because otherwise he should be benched

“One of Gorges and Diaz needs to be traded. He should be replaced with a big D in the manner of Ottawa’s big D. Doesn’t have to be a great D, just a stay at home guy who won’t get pushed around and can make a first pass”

We have that guy, Tinordi. He just plays the wrong side. Actually we may also have a guy in Pateryn who does play the right side, but the org doesn’t want to call him up. Yet. I think Diaz will be traded, and that MB is trying to find a team that will accept a trade-and-sign as Diaz needs a contract.

works for me…not I said “replace”, as opposed to exchanged or an acquisition. I don’t follow Hamilton closely but people were saying a few weeks ago how neither was impressing and suddenly it’s been turned around and both he and Beaulieu look good.

It’s laughable how much bigger other teams’ D is. How does this happen? I’ll get to the O eventually

agreed. murray is a wrecking ball & we need him out there. losing georges or diaz & playing pateryn or tinordi would be a step up. bouillon is depth for us. I think one or maybe 2 of the young dmen will be up b4 the season is over.

Any team with all 3 of Streit, Weber and Diaz will have a lot of fun against determined Swedes, Russians, Americans, Finns and Canadians. Never mind the Czechs and Slovaks.
Of course, if Canada meets the Swiss and can’t score I’ll have to eat my Hockey Canada cap.

lol. gionta and brierre (9 million a year combined) finally get on the scoreboard and someone posts how they were on for “all three montreal goals ” FINALLY!……..it is usually the other way around….where they are on for no canadiens goals. one game prior against dallas dd line on for 4 habs goals, elar line for one….gio line ZERO.

BRIERRE AND GIONTA STINK. ARE WASHED UP AND A WASTE OF ICE TIME. they are scott gomez 2 and 3

So if he questions the big machine again he just disappears and no is allowed to ask about him. Awwww….Stalin is alive and well. No one can ask questions. Just accept that what is being done is for the greater good.(They need to be in the mix in Ottawa or no one will show up).

5 QUESTIONS
1. Does Canada lack depth of skill, as Sutter suggested?
2. Was Fucale good enough to likely get the nod next year?
3. What’s your biggest single problem with Therrien’s coaching… and what’s his biggest single strength?
4. As Fly says at length below, with 0 goals in 20 home games, and able to play well only with Patches, is DD still a bust despite some good games?
5. If the Habs were a character from fiction, what character would they be? Jeckle and Hyde? Icarus?
SD

1. Yup. 2. Likely to be in the AHL. 3. The MeriTocracy that’s so full of it. Strength would be how he can pick up a player after a game and throw him directly under the bus. 4. Yup. 5. The Wizard of Oz. Don’t look behind that curtain!

1) NO
2) Yes
3) Use of D-men and Briere. Biggest strength – is able to win with this roster and get them playing with character… big change from years past.
4) Not at all. How far back do those 20 home games stretch? And why are we ignoring DD’s success on the road? Would you consider Kunitz a bust because he plays with Crosby?
5) None of those. Odysseus – 20 year journey to return to the throne. They will get there.

Following the crap-tastic showing of Team USA and Team Canada at the WJC’s, as well as the controversial snubs to would-be olympians by Team USA, there’s been a few very interesting articles about why these two countries are faltering or stagnating while rising powers are, well, rising powers.

First, they mention that USA and Canada have the luxury (or curse) of having so many players, that they can over-think who to put on the roster. Rather than saying they will just take the best players, these two nations think about taking the “right” players. It just so happens that in international tournaments, with the big ice and playing the best players each competitor has to offer, the best players ARE the right players. It has often been the case that a team is put together and very curious decisions are made – would-be locks are left out and head-scratching picks make the team. Once at the tournament, the North American teams have had the experience of not being able to score enough goals and they are also unable to compete with other teams because they lack speed and skill.

This brings us to the next point, which is a problem we’ve seen in Turin, and the past WJCs – for Canada, we’re so used to winning, that the tried and true “code” is cemented into the brass’ decision-making process. We have great hockey minds but they are too conservative. They are risk averse and are stuck with the idea of the “good old Canadian kid.” Rather than see a super skilled, fast, and talented player as a lock, they see the grinding, hard-nosed players as a lock, because they are very low risk. But low risk how? They are not gonna be making many mistakes, but how much offence do they bring to the table?

When the chips are down, and Canada is down one goal with a minute left to play, who do you want on the ice: the guy who can make a play on his own, or the “reliable” guy who will play it safe?

Team Canada has to pick the guys who will be able to zoom up and down the big ice, and use their insane talent to their advantage. That’s a relatively new idea because normally Team Canada identifies itself as a talented team but one that is more systematic than dynamic. On the small ice that works well because there is little room for explosiveness, but on the big ice, you NEED guys like PK Subban, Claude Giroux, Jamie Benn, Taylor Hall. In other words, Team Canada has to be able to rethink what makes them successful, because they have not been so on big ice. If they approach the Olympics trying to play it safe, we will not win squat.

Respectfully, and believe me I do agree with many of your points, I feel that far too much weight is placed upon a single tournament. I felt this way when we won, and I feel this way today following the second consecutive year without a medal. I love watching the tournament, if only to see players within our organization, or potential draft picks who I wouldn’t see otherwise perform against skilled players of equal age. I say this because it’s hard to evaluate de la rose (as an example), as he is playing against men. If he was in Windsor, I think he could be a dominant player. In closing, there will be plenty of time to reevaluate, however it’s never a productive exercise when emotions are still high.

Jessiaca asked Therrien why Panthers has been such a challenge. Therrien’s answer boils down to “they play very hard against us”. I guess Habs need to hope that other teams, especially in playoffs, choose not to play hard.

Good. Once again, this can only be a positive. The Olympics lend the potential for the hockey community to see our players through a new lens. I truly hope fans of the Canadiens can take such a progressive approach. This has the potential to build the profile of as many as 8 players on our current roster. I, for one, see tremendous upside.

October – 12 for 53, 22.6&, 5th in the NHL
November – 12 for 47, 25.5%, 4th in the NHL
December – 6 for 43, 14%, 25th in the NHL

Maybe someone can tell me what has changed (or not), but a drop of 10% in success rate is pretty dramatic in little more than a month. Personally I think that Eller and, more importantly, Galchenyuk should be getting much more PP time than they are, but maybe there are other issues as well.

I honestly think it is just the other teams who have adjusted to their PP. Notice now that the defending team always has two men on both Markov and PK…..they don’t have nearly as much time to get off a decent shot from the point.
That leaves a 3 on 2 down low with the remaining players…..but I find the forwards aren’t doing much with the opening.

They seem to be staying on the perimetre. They always pass it down low….but then don’t manage to cross the puck to the man standing in front of the net. I wish guys like Pacioretty…..would cut to the slot and get some shots off a little more.

“I think I may have found a way for us to get Griffey and Bonds, and we really won’t have to give up much” -Costanza

Yeah, I agree that other teams are keying on Subban and Markov. And you are also right that the forwards who should be open down low are not doing much with the puck. That could be a function of the team’s makeup though, since two of the “top-unit” PP guys are under 5’9″ and less than 180 lbs. Hard for guys that size to battle for space and pucks down low against other team’s top PK units.

Again, just my opinion, but an elite offensive talent like Galchenyuk should be getting all the PP time he can handle right now. I get that he is only 19, but that makes it even more important for him to get good ice in offensive situations. If, for example, there was ever a time for him to play centre for the 2013-14 edition of the Habs, it would be on the PP. Don’t strangle his offensive abilities just because you are worried about his defensive game. HE IS 19! If you are that worried, send him to the minors where he’ll play 20 minutes per night.

Advanced scouting really has redefined the game. The other 29 teams in this league are not stupid. You can only do the same thing for so long. Montreal will continue to adjust. It really is a cat and mouse game. All that said, and as much as you can’t quantify this statistically, or qualify it logically, we haven’t gotten the breaks this past four weeks. It will come around. I am hoping the character that was on display Saturday night to fight back from a 3-1 deficit and overcome a no goal is in full force this week. This could be a turning point. I’m hoping and believing it’s going to be positive.

All true, and I’m with you on the positive sentiment. I’ll be rooting for Briere to keep things moving, and would love to see Galchenyuk get his groove back. He’s been struggling for a while and is either hitting the wall in his first “full” NHL season, or is just not getting the ice and opportunities he needs to succeed. If the former, they’ll need to find some way to pick up the slack. If the latter, they need to find ways to get him more involved in the game. Watched him handle the puck the other night against Ottawa and he seemed totally out of sync with himself.

That would be the job of the other coaches. Which begs the question, why can’t Therrien make adjustments.

I would like to see year end, how the top 10 teams did on a month to month basis like you have shown for the Habs. If those teams are consistent, and you can bet the teams they are playing are adjusting to defend their power plays, then it would show a weakness in Therrien’s ability to coach a true contender!
Habfan17

DD broke out of his slump against Minnesota on the 19th Nov. Since then, he has been given the 1st line PP duties. Facing the other team’s best defensive centre, I think he has being getting killed in the face off dot, so many PPs start with having to chase the puck down the ice. Given that every PP starts with an offensive zone face off, this is a significant disadvantage.

Having a centre who is also a threat to shoot is a better option on the PP, and DD almost never shoots. Honestly, I would start Plekanec, Briere, or Eller before I would start DD on the PP.

All subjective but one guy on TSN has PK as one of the 2 runner-ups at mid-season for Norris Trophy. Keith has the winner and Karlsson as other runner-up. So if my math is good, best defenseman in Canada last year and 2nd best this year.
But he’s a bubble guy for 8th spot in Canada…

PS I am prettty confident he’ll be picked but just a bleepin joke that it was a point of contention to begin with.

Well can’t argue with Keith, he’s been great, but Karlsson? He is not a good DEFENCE-man. He is an offensive dynamo but he is unreliable in his own end and that award should go to D-men who are the best all-round not a guy who is a bit better than a PP specialist.

Tonight will be a great test. These are not the same lowly Panthers. Two key additions return this evening, who were not in the lineup when he faced them earlier this year. Florida has won 7 of the last 9 against us. It just appears that they are one of those teams, like Ottawa, who has our number. All that said, Montreal’s speed and skill, if on full display should be able to chip the puck past the Panthers defence and create rushes. We must dictate the game. If we allow Florida to effectively counter and control the pace, it could be a long night. I actually think this could be the toughest test this week. And yes, I know that we have the Blavkhawks on Saturday…..

Good for Diaz making the Swiss team. He’d better get used again to playing in Europe unless Habs fans will be treated to his blocked point shots for another 2 or 3 years. In other words, DON’T SIGN HIM, MB!

The only 3 Swiss D to play in the NHL all played for our Habs. Do you think Webber will see time up on the wing during Swiss PP’s? Is Diaz sitting again tonight? Diaz has 11 points..0 hits and is a minus 3. Don’t ya think Beaulieu could do at least that?

good for #61 and good for Weber to be on the Swiss team.
Am I the only one that thought the former coaching regime ruined a promising offensively-gifted player by constant benching , pressbox-sitting and worse 4th line playing.

Weber was given a one-way contract and a starting job going into the 11-12 season. Even with that opportunity and all the injuries that season, he couldn’t keep his starting job as he was so bad defensively. They couldn’t keep him in the line up even though they needed him for the PP.

I don’t think he will ever be good enough for the NHL defensively, he doesn’t read the play well enough and gets out of position too easily.

I honestly don’t think they benched him to punish him, they simply couldn’t afford to play him anymore. He cost them several games in the 3rd period that year with basic errors that are not good enough in the NHL. Diaz simply took his job because he was playing much better. The easily could have sent Diaz to Hamilton who was on a two-way at the time, but didn’t.

Even with a fresh start in Vancouver, he has cleared waivers, been sent to the AHL, is now back in the NHL playing only 10 minutes a night.

I agree. Why folks use this announcement as the catalyst to pile on….well, I just don’t get it. Good for Diaz. I hope he has a great tournament. This can only help to improve his profile, which will either add appeal as a trade commodity, or improve his confidence and improve his play.

I’m happy for Diaz as well. I had (still do) great expectations for Diaz when Emelin returned. He’s been a disappointment to me. I wonder if playing in the Olympics will give him renewed confidence and he returns from the experience the secondary power play specialist this team sorely needs?

Tough day? Why not take a deep breath and enjoy the wonders of the world. I think you’ll find that the results of tonight’s hockey game have little consequence in the grand scheme of things. I want to win too, but let’s take this in stride.

I am not gonna pre-judgr Diaz’s contribution. But I gotta admit that sometimes the night’s hockey game have lots of consequence in my grand scheme of things. I try not to let it but sometimes it overwhelms my mood.

Sure, a loss, poor call, etc., can get to me to. That said, when it’s over it’s over. I couldn’t sleep for a week when the Canadiens lost to the Bruins in 2010-2011 after being up 2-0 in the series. My mother always told me I lacked perspective, but would find it someday when I had children. Guess what….I have lots to be thankful for. Hockey only serves to augment that.

Should the Habs Keep losing to the weaker teams I’m on-board with the 18% unsure they will make the playoffs and if they do I can’t see them getting by the 1st round. They’re not consistent enough. At times they do provide some good Hockey in a weak eastern conference.

I have never reposted anything before, but this really, really bugs me and I did post it yesterday not knowing that a new thread had started.
Suffice it to say, that I for one do not believe that Matty or anyone else is a jinx or that the bat had anything to do with the loss on Saturday night.
But clearly this is a problem:

In 20 games at the Bell Centre so far this season DD has Zero goals and 7 assists for a total of 7 points. In 5 of the last 6 games at the Bell Centre he has been kept off of the score sheet and in those 6 games has a total of 2 assists. In that same 6 game period, he is a minus 3.

While some have tried to make the case that he is playing better of late, that certainly is not true with regard to home games as the statistics do not lie. Earlier in the season, the Habs were enjoying greater success at the Bell Centre with productivity from the EGG line and other players.

Last night, one line, the Plekanec, Briere & Gionta line accounted for all 3 goals. MT deserves credit for putting this trio together as it was extremely effective. I am sure that you know where I am going….
When is it going to be time to try Eller, or Bournival or Chucky at center with Max to see if they can get something going. M T has demonstrated no willingness to deviate from playing DD & Max together not only at even strength but also on the PP and at least at the Bell Centre- IT IS KILLING OUR OFFENSE and making it much easier for lesser talented teams to come into our building and skate off with a victory. Sometimes I wonder if this is some kind of a new fangled delayed tank strategy.

ZERO goals SEVEN points in 20 home games for your supposed #1 centremen. Sydney Crosby has 35 points in home games to date. David Krecji has 24 points. SEVEN is unacceptable and his continued employment in the same fashion is as big a travesty as some of the officiating that we have witnessed of late. I have no hatred for DD. I do despise the way that M T is using him right now because it is a joke. Give the young centremen a chance. They can’t do much worse than DD has of late, at least at the Bell Centre.

You have to wonder too if visiting teams tighter checking, road game style has something to do with the disparity between DD’s home and road performance.

I read thus yesterday as the last post and am glad you reposted it.
It is a very good observation.
In addition- since DD got resurrected he has centered our number one PP unit which has been terrible.
I know there are some that believe he has a number of points in his last 16 games – but how can he not have points playing PP and with top minutes and wingers.
Bottom line – we will repeat 2012 season if we rely on him to center top line. And what’s worse is there is less chance for Lars and Chucky to develop.

Yep, DD is definitely hurting the PP. It was clicking at 23% at the beginning of the season when DD was sitting due to his slump. In the last 18 games, the PP is around 14%, with DD getting most of the 1st wave opportunities. Why the coaching staff cannot see this is baffling. The difference between 23% and 14% is huge: 23% puts you among the top 5, 14% puts you among the bottom 5.

Probably best to leave the scoring to DD and Max, and the defensive responsibilities to Eller – for now. There will be an upgrade, likely from within (chucky), when the Habs are ready to take it to the next level.

One change that I’d like to see would be Chucky centering the 1st unit PP.

I won’t bother you all with the details but one of my pet peeves is people (like comedian Bill Maher) who think atheist and agnostic are fundamentally different things. Both words refer to one who lacks faith.